Séamus de Brún
Encyclopedia
Séamus de Brún was an Irish
teacher, senator
and promoter of the Irish language
and culture.
A lifelong member of the Fianna Fáil
party, he was particularly noted for his work as a trustee and president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
.
, in Connemara
, County Galway
, one of six children of Tadhg de Brún and his wife Kit (née Burke). He was educated locally and won a scholarship to Coláiste Connacht in Tourmakeady
, County Mayo
, where he qualified as a múinteoir taistil (a tavelling teacher of Irish).
After a time teaching in Sligo
, he was appointed 1944 to a teaching post in Elphin
, County Roscommon
with Roscommon Vocational Education Committee
(VEC), and in 1945 he transferred to the vocational school
at Castlerea
, where he taught until his retirement in 1977.
Whilst teaching an Irish-language summer Course in Tourmakeady, he met his future wife Brid O’Hara (–1988), from Tourlestrane, in County Sligo. They married in 1944, and had three children: Máirín, Tadhg and Finian.
His son Tadhg has been for many years a senior member of RTÉ's production staff.
(CCE), a voluntary organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and language of Ireland, which were then in decline. Seamus and were both stalwarts of Comhaltas, and Máirín died in 1998 in a car crash in Swinford
, County Mayo
en route to a meeting in Ballina
of the Fleadh Cheoil
committee.
Seamus was a founder of the Castlerea branch of CCE, and held a series of local, provincial and national posts within the organisation, serving as national president from 1970 to 1973, and leading CCE's first tour of the United States
in 1972.
A member of the national council of Oireachtas na Gaeilge
(an annually festival of Irish culture), he adjudicated at music competitions and was recognised as an authority on sean nós singing. He was a member for 15 years of Comhairle Raidió na Gaeltachta (the advisory board of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
), and in the 1970s he was as a member of the Roscommon VEC.
Although he lived most of his life in Roscommon, he continued to support the Galway GAA
hurling
and gaelic football
teams, and took his holidays in Galway.
, de Brún was director of elections for the successful Fianna Fáil campaign in Roscommon, and was rewarded by being Nominated by the Taoiseach
Jack Lynch
to the 14th Seanad.
In the 1981 elections to the 15th Seanad, he stood on the Cultural and Educational Panel, but did not win a seat. However, he was successful in the 1982 election to the 16th Seanad, and was re-elected at the 1983 election to the 16th Seanad. He stood down at the 1987 election, to devote his energies to other causes.
On his death in 2001, Senators from all parties praised his contributions to Irish culture and to the Seanad. Independent senator Shane Ross
described de Brún's contributions to the upper house as "absolutely priceless, quite invaluable and an education to the rest of us", noting that de Brún "only spoke on matters about which he felt he was elected to speak and about which he could make a contribution".
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
teacher, senator
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
and promoter of the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
and culture.
A lifelong member of the Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
party, he was particularly noted for his work as a trustee and president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The name of the organisation is often abbreviated to Comhaltas or CCÉ...
.
Family and early life
De Brún was born in CornamonaCornamona
Corr na Móna is a village and townland in County Galway, Ireland. It is part of the Gaeltacht of North Connemara....
, in Connemara
Connemara
Connemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, one of six children of Tadhg de Brún and his wife Kit (née Burke). He was educated locally and won a scholarship to Coláiste Connacht in Tourmakeady
Tourmakeady
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh is a small village in County Mayo, Ireland. It has a population of about 1000 people. It is located on the shores of Lough Mask. Part of Tourmakeady was originally in neighbouring County Galway, but was placed under the administration of County Mayo in 1898...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, where he qualified as a múinteoir taistil (a tavelling teacher of Irish).
After a time teaching in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, he was appointed 1944 to a teaching post in Elphin
Elphin
In Welsh mythology, Elffin ap Gwyddno was a son of Gwyddno Garanhir, 'Lord of Ceredigion'. The earliest example of the name occurs in several of the mythological poems attributed to Taliesin in the Book of Taliesin. The date of their composition is uncertain but probably predates the Norman...
, County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
with Roscommon Vocational Education Committee
Vocational Education Committee
A Vocational Education Committee is a statutory local education body in the Republic of Ireland that administers some secondary education, most adult education and a very small amount of primary education in the state...
(VEC), and in 1945 he transferred to the vocational school
Vocational school
A vocational school , providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job...
at Castlerea
Castlerea
Castlerea is located in the west of County Roscommon, Ireland. It is the second largest town in the county with a population of 3,055 . Roughly translated from Irish, Castlerea can mean Brindled Castle or King's Castle...
, where he taught until his retirement in 1977.
Whilst teaching an Irish-language summer Course in Tourmakeady, he met his future wife Brid O’Hara (–1988), from Tourlestrane, in County Sligo. They married in 1944, and had three children: Máirín, Tadhg and Finian.
His son Tadhg has been for many years a senior member of RTÉ's production staff.
Career
In 1951, de Brún was one of the early members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The name of the organisation is often abbreviated to Comhaltas or CCÉ...
(CCE), a voluntary organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and language of Ireland, which were then in decline. Seamus and were both stalwarts of Comhaltas, and Máirín died in 1998 in a car crash in Swinford
Swinford
Swinford, historically called Swineford , is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is surrounded by the settlements of Midfield, Meelick, Culmore, Cloonaghboy, Killasser and other villages. It is on the N5 road, located 18 km from Ireland West Airport Knock...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
en route to a meeting in Ballina
Ballina, County Mayo
Ballina is a large town in north County Mayo in Ireland. It lies at the mouth of the River Moy near Killala Bay, in the Moy valley and Parish of Kilmoremoy, with the Ox Mountain range to the east and the Nephin Beg mountains to the west...
of the Fleadh Cheoil
Fleadh Cheoil
The Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music competition run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann or more commonly known as "Comhaltas" ....
committee.
Seamus was a founder of the Castlerea branch of CCE, and held a series of local, provincial and national posts within the organisation, serving as national president from 1970 to 1973, and leading CCE's first tour of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1972.
A member of the national council of Oireachtas na Gaeilge
Oireachtas na Gaeilge
Oireachtas na Gaeilge is an annually held arts festival of Irish culture, which has run since the 1890s. Based on the Welsh Eisteddfod, Oireachtas na Gaeilge runs for one week, featuring performances, demonstrations and competitions...
(an annually festival of Irish culture), he adjudicated at music competitions and was recognised as an authority on sean nós singing. He was a member for 15 years of Comhairle Raidió na Gaeltachta (the advisory board of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta , abbreviated RnaG, is the Irish-language radio service of the public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Internet.- History :...
), and in the 1970s he was as a member of the Roscommon VEC.
Although he lived most of his life in Roscommon, he continued to support the Galway GAA
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
teams, and took his holidays in Galway.
Politics
At the 1977 general electionIrish general election, 1977
The Irish general election of 1977 was held on 16 June 1977 and is regarded as a pivotal point in twentieth century Irish politics. The general election took place in 42 parliamentary constituencies throughout Ireland for 148 seats in the lower house of parliament, Dáil Éireann. The number of...
, de Brún was director of elections for the successful Fianna Fáil campaign in Roscommon, and was rewarded by being Nominated by the Taoiseach
Nominated by the Taoiseach
The composition of Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas of Ireland, is defined in outline by Article 18 of the Constitution of Ireland, which provides for 11 appointees that are nominated by the Taoiseach...
Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
to the 14th Seanad.
In the 1981 elections to the 15th Seanad, he stood on the Cultural and Educational Panel, but did not win a seat. However, he was successful in the 1982 election to the 16th Seanad, and was re-elected at the 1983 election to the 16th Seanad. He stood down at the 1987 election, to devote his energies to other causes.
On his death in 2001, Senators from all parties praised his contributions to Irish culture and to the Seanad. Independent senator Shane Ross
Shane Ross
Shane Peter Nathaniel Ross is an independent Irish politician and Business Editor of the Sunday Independent. He was the longest-serving member of Seanad Éireann , until he was elected to Dáil Éireann for the constituency of Dublin South at the 2011 general election.-Early life and career:Born in...
described de Brún's contributions to the upper house as "absolutely priceless, quite invaluable and an education to the rest of us", noting that de Brún "only spoke on matters about which he felt he was elected to speak and about which he could make a contribution".